Briefs

April 17, 2003

BUSINESS DIRECTORY. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is taking orders for the 2003 Virginia All-Business Directory, a reference of over 20,000 Virginia companies. This year's edition includes listings of over 12,000 service firms and 8,000 manufacturing firms. The directory lists the number of employees, products, key contacts, sales volume and more for each company. The cost is $160 for Virginia Chamber members and $180 for non-members. Manufacturing and service directories can be purchased separately for $85 for members and $95 for non-members. The directory is also available on CD-ROM for an additional cost. For more information or to place an order, call the chamber at 804-644-1607 or visit www.vachamber.com and click on Resources.

EDUCATION. The Special Education Annual Plan for Hampton Schools will be available for public review and comment at the School Administrative Center, 1 Franklin St., fourth floor; the Hampton Public Library, 4207 Victoria Blvd., and the Parent Resource Center, Hampton High School Annex, 1491 W. Queen St., now through May 9. The plan for providing free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities will be reviewed by the Local Advisory Committee 7 p.m. April 30 at the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Veteran's Conference Room, Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin St., and is open to the public. Individuals wanting to comment may attend the Advisory Committee meeting contact Sharon Warren, Director of Special Education at 727-2400. The final document will be submitted for approval to the School Board on May 7.

HONORS. The Huntington Alumni Association and the Legacy Committee are honoring Wray Herring at 10 a.m. on May 24 with a musical salute. The salute will be held on the Huntington Athletic Field during this Gathering of the Vikings. The association needs anyone who played in the band or was a majorette, cheerleader, or drum major. Coaches will also be honored so football, basketball, track and field and baseball players are needed also. For more information, call Cleveland Mayo, 245-6081.

PAGEANT. The Miss Virginia America Teen and Pre-Teen Scholarship Program is accepting applicants. The program is for ages 10-16 and is part of the National non-profit Miss America Scholarship Program. The program will be held in conjunction with the televised Miss Virginia State pageant in June. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in both the Teen and Pre-teen divisions. For an application and more information, call 873-0454.

SCIENCE. Jefferson Lab, 12000 Jefferson Ave., Newport News is hosting a Science is Cool Open House from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 26. Parts of every major area of the facility will be open including a section of the accelerator, two of the Lab's experimental halls, the Free-Electron Laser Facility, the Computer Center and the Accelerator Assembly area. The event also includes hands-on, science-education oriented activities and the staff will be on-hand to answer questions and give the ever- popular liquid nitrogen demonstration throughout the day.

Events are free and open to the public. Everyone over 16 is asked to carry a photo I.D. and security guards may perform vehicle and package inspections.

Information: 269-7689 or visit www.jlab.org.

TAX-AIDE. As part of the AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide Program, over 860 AARP Tax-Aide volunteers at more than 150 AARP Tax-Aide sites have helped 40,000 persons complete their income tax forms this season.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest, free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those age 60 and older.

For those who want to volunteer to become certified tax counselors, training will be offered in January 2004. An accounting or tax preparation background, while helpful, is not required. To volunteer, call toll free 1-888-227-7669, or visit the AARP Tax-Aide national web site at www.aarp.org/taxaide in September or October 2003. Neither volunteers nor taxpayers are required to hold membership in AARP to participate in the Tax-Aide program.

YARDS. The "Yards Are Really Distinctive Showplaces" contest has begun its annual season, and the Hampton Clean City Commission's Beautification Committee is seeking nominations for beautiful yards in Hampton. The person must live within the Hampton city limits to be nominated for the YARDS contest. To nominate someone, you need the name and address of the resident. To submit the nomination: